JD Hinton’s musical journey has taken him from the stages of Los Angeles and New York to the sacred halls of the Vatican, each performance adding to his rich tapestry of experiences.
Now preparing to release his new EP, Five Smooth Stones, JD reflects on his unique path that has intertwined roles as a radio DJ, actor, and soundtrack composer for shows like The Morning Show and Jane the Virgin.
In our conversation, JD shares how his diverse career influences his music, his approach to songwriting, and how he manages the blend of life’s work and passions. As he discusses his latest projects and the creative processes behind them, we get a glimpse into the daily rhythm of a life dedicated to artistry and expression.
Let’s start with your background! Can you share with us your career journey and what you’re currently up to?
My path to being a singer-songwriter was not a direct one. It’s been more of a “cross training” approach to borrow a body builder or phys. ed coach’s term. On my way to being a singer-songwriter, I’ve been a radio disc jockey, and an actor. I use those experiences plus my Baylor marketing degree everyday. I sit down at the piano, pick up a guitar or step onto a stage in front of a band.
On the radio, I played the hits. You can learn a lot about songwriting if you listen to hit songs for 4 – 6 hours a day. Radio also introduced me to record company marketing and record promoters. I saw the music business at work. It’s a tough business. A lot of good songs get left on the Sidelines.
In acting classes – and on the set – I learned how to tell the truth in imaginary circumstances. Acting taught me how important listening is to the creative process. Trusting your instincts is a skill set well worth learning and practising.
I have a longer story for another time about choosing to major in marketing, but what I learned there made a difference on day one in my Hollywood pursuits. Right off the bat, I knew no one can call you or hire you or ask for you if they don’t know your name, if they don’t know who you are.
Meeting people became one of my first goals. These days I tell people I have two jobs. Job 1: get the music I hear in my head (all the time) written down. Then, get what I’ve written to a band in a recording studio. Job 2 is to get the music/songs I’ve written and recorded “out of my living room.”
The second job is harder and very clear where “marketing” comes into play. How do you get your songs out of your living room in front of people? Your mileage may vary.
I’ve been in the studio a lot recently. After a few years of doing sold out club shows in Los Angeles, Austin, Houston, and New York, I had songs I wanted to record. “Fall In My Arms” has just been released across the internet. It’s a preview from my latest EP, Five Smooth Stones, coming out later this year.
We’d love to know what a typical day is like for you. Could you describe a recent workday?
My work is in three forms: Songwriting, Recording, Performing Live. For me, songwriting requires dedicated time, and some degree of isolation. I don’t have a schedule or a formula. On my best (most disciplined) days, I’ll declare a starting time and begin. This can be at my
kitchen table or in a café. I keep notes. If I don’t have an immediate idea, in my notes there’ll be some word or phrase that starts the process. It can be quick and smooth, but some songs just take time. I don’t keep score. I don’t watch the clock ever. If I get “stuck” in the writing, I’ll
step away. I’ll take a walk or start writing another song to open up new ideas. I’ll come back to the unfinished song when I have more to add. Some songs come from inspiration. This sounds more romantic than it is. I’ve read Joni Mitchell telling how she’s had to leave a party to get
back home because the muse arrived. This past week, “an idea” woke me at 1am and I wrote for the next 3 hours. No guarantees. You just write. If you truly want to write, you can work out the day’s details later. I learned I can write on assignments. If you’ve written songs for a film,
you know film production dictates the schedule. If the director needs a song in three days, I learned I can deliver a song (written, recorded, produced) in three days. The days are long and back to back. The calendar is more important than the clock. The song is more important than the clock, too.
If I’m recording I turn the energy and focus it takes to write a song and concentrate on the process of recording musicians in the studio. What’s made to sound simple, never is. Sessions once came in 3 hour blocks, but now it’s not uncommon to see 10 or 12 hour days in the studio.
I play my guitar or sit at the piano everyday. Before live shows, I play the set list every day. Twice before lunch and once again later that afternoon. I play my guitar with the recorded tracks to go through all the songs. Formal rehearsals with the whole band will be scheduled as needed beforehand.
On the day of a show, you have to be at the venue mid afternoon so the musicians can load in and set up their equipment. You hopefully get a sound check with the amps and microphones for the show’s sound engineer. Afterwards, you eat a bite and relax if you can before showtime.
Can you define work-life balance for yourself and share with us your approach in maintaining it?
Work-Life balance seems like an obvious thing. A good thing. For some reason it takes concentration and some effort to incorporate this into your daily comings and goings. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” is the time honoured phrase learned early on. How do you play? What do you do with “the fruits of your labour?”
I discovered running right after I moved to Hollywood. I began running a mile a day. I liked it and after a month or so, I added a second mile and later another and another. In my early LA years, I enjoyed sailing around Santa Monica Bay. Dodger Stadium and golf courses are my favourite places to take a break. My golf game is pars and 8s.
Being with people is fun for me. After being in a small room writing songs all day, I like going to restaurants where I’ll see folks I know. I want to bring “something” to my songs and shows so I take time to read. I love how music, films, and art always show up like a good conversation with an old friend.
Change is constant, and it’s essential for growth. Have you made any lifestyle changes in the past year to improve your work-life Balance?
I’m making attempts to do one less thing in my day’s work. One thing I planned to do can wait. The extra time feels like a gulp of fresh air. I know a rancher who says what he loves about ranching is there’s always a lot to do, but I don’t have to do it today.
We’re always on the lookout for new resources! Can you recommend any books, podcasts, or newsletters that have helped you in this past year to improve your work-life balance?
When I began my Hollywood days, I devoured all the motivation books. I wanted to find and develop good habits wherever possible. To learn from songwriters, I read Songwriters on Songwriting by Paul Zollo. I’m just diving into Rick Rubin’s book Creative Act: A Way of Being. Superb!
Before we wrap up, do you have any final words of wisdom or insights on work, life, or balance that you’d like to share with our Readers?
I love the Robert Henri quote that opens Rick Rubin’s book. “The object isn’t to make art, it’s to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.”
